Work Release

The Work Release Program provides selected offenders the opportunity for employment in the community during imprisonment. It addresses the transitional needs of soon-to-be-released offenders, and the program provides an opportunity for offenders to support their families and reduce the economic costs of their imprisonment.

Criteria for Participation
Work release participation is based on factors such as the sentence received, the statute under which sentenced, and the offender's behavior record. Participating offenders must be in the final stage of imprisonment and are carefully screened for participation by prison managers.

Program Operation
The program is available at the majority of minimum security prisons. Offenders are allowed to leave the prison each day to work and are required to return to the prison when their work day is finished.

• Offenders must earn at least minimum wage. The job plan and job site must be reviewed and approved by prison managers.
• Offenders must work in a supervised setting and cannot work for family members or operate their own businesses.
• The work release employer must receive an orientation from Prisons staff and agree to the rules of the program. The employer must have Worker's Compensation insurance.
• Earnings from work release wages are used to pay restitution and fines, pay family support, pay prison housing and work release transportation costs, and to set aside money for the offender upon release.

Prospective employers interested in employing work release offenders should contact the minimum-security prison nearest their location.